NIDHI-EIR (Entrepreneur-In-Residence)
Funding up to ₹30,000 per month for 12-18 months
Please refer to the official NIDHI-EIR guidelines before applying. If you have any questions or need clarification, please write to us at [email protected].
Purpose
The NIDHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) programme provides a monthly fellowship to support aspiring entrepreneurs while they validate and develop their technology-based business ideas. It is a risk-reduction mechanism that enables innovators to pursue entrepreneurship full-time without the immediate pressure of generating income.
The scheme is funded by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, and implemented through VentureStudio.
Who Can Apply
Citizenship and Education
- Must be an Indian citizen with government-approved proof of nationality (valid passport, voter's ID, etc.)
- Must have completed either:
- Minimum 4 years of formal full-time undergraduate/postgraduate education towards one or more degree programs (basic degree/diploma in science or engineering)
- OR 3 years degree/diploma program with 2 years full-time work experience post-degree/diploma (basic degree/diploma in science or engineering)
Commitment and Status
- Must be committed to exploring a business idea full-time
- Cannot treat this support as a stop-gap arrangement for academic pursuits or job transitions
- Cannot receive any other concurrent remuneration or fellowship
- Cannot be the promoter or significant (>10%) shareholder/beneficiary of another company at the time of applying and receiving the grant
Business Proposal
- Must demonstrate ability to build a scalable technology business startup
- Must propose one technology business idea in the prescribed format
- Must have a formal business plan and business presentation including investment proposal
- Must register for incubation program at the Technology Business Incubator (TBI) for the entire duration of support
Who Cannot Apply
You are not eligible if:
- Receiving financial support from any other government scheme for the same idea.
- A promoter of an existing, funded startup.
- A student currently enrolled in full-time academic programmes.
- A former NIDHI-EIR recipient.
Benefits of the Program
- Monthly Fellowship: Up to ₹30,000 per month for a maximum of 12–18 months.
- Entrepreneurial Mentorship: Structured mentoring by domain and business experts.
- Facility Access: Use of coworking space and relevant labs at VentureStudio.
- Preparation for Funding: Guidance on moving toward grants or seed investment.
Preference Areas
- First-time entrepreneurs with deep-tech or hardware-based solutions.
- Ideas aligned with national missions (e.g. Digital India, Make in India).
- Solutions in health, agriculture, environment, manufacturing, and social impact sectors.
What the Funds Can Be Used For
The EIR fellowship is intended as a personal sustenance grant to:
- Support basic living expenses while building your startup idea.
- Dedicate time and energy to prototype development, customer discovery, and early traction.
Prohibited Usage of Funds
Funds cannot be used for:
- Business expenses (e.g. equipment, marketing, travel).
- Hiring team members or contractors.
- Product development or lab purchases.
- Reimbursement of past expenses.
Terms and Conditions
- Support period is typically 12 months, extendable up to 18 months in deserving cases
- Must be registered for pre-incubation or incubation at a TBI throughout the support period
- Cannot avail funding support from both NIDHI-PRAYAS and NIDHI-EIR simultaneously
- Cannot be a recipient of NIDHI-EIR more than once
- Regular monitoring and review of progress by the TBI
- Grant may be terminated for non-performing EIRs before completion of 12 months
Implementation at VentureStudio
At VentureStudio, NIDHI-EIR is designed to help you convert your idea into a viable startup:
- Application & Selection: Online application followed by a jury interaction.
- Fellowship Agreement: Selected entrepreneurs sign a formal agreement.
- Milestone Planning: We co-create goals for your EIR journey.
- Fellowship Release: Monthly payments are linked to progress reports.
- Ongoing Mentorship: You’ll work with experienced founders and industry mentors.
- Graduation & Next Steps: EIRs are encouraged to apply for grants like PRAYAS SSP once ready.
Ready to Apply for NIDHI-EIR?
VentureStudio is no longer accepting applications for this scheme. Please check back for an update.